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Nutritional Epidemiology (Poster Session)

(P13-072-24) Cultural Myths Debunked: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Factors Influencing BMI in Ghana, a Pilot Study

Sunday, June 30, 2024
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 460

    Presenting Author(s)

  • CT

    Cheng-Tzu Tsao, Undergraduate

    Bachelor
    Fu Jen Catholic University, Department of Information Management
    NEW TAIPEI, New Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Chin-Yu Liu, PhD

    Fu Jen Catholic University
    New Taipei City, New Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)

  • JD

    Jia-Yau Doong

    Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Disclosure(s):
Cheng-Tzu Tsao, Undergraduate: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: Prevailing cultural narratives suggest that perceptions of health and standards for body weight can vary significantly across different societies. It has been hypothesized that in Ghana, a nation with diverse cultural norms, the local definition of health, particularly about BMI, may need to align with global standards. This study examined whether such cultural differences significantly impact BMI and health perceptions. To explore the influence of family financial status, self-perceived health status, food expenditure, and part-time employment on BMI among Ghanaians and to assess whether these factors conform to or diverge from commonly held cultural assumptions about health and body weight.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 50 individuals, yielding 50 valid questionnaires from the University of Ghana. An ANOVA was utilized to compare BMI across four family financial status categories: wealthy, comfortable, average, and struggling. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the relationship between self-perceived health status, categorized as 'very poor,' 'fair,' and 'excellent,' and actual BMI. Food expenditure was categorized into four groups: less than 500 Ghanaian Cedis (GHS), 500-1000 GHS, and 1001-2000 GHS and above 2001, with an ANOVA analyzing its correlation with BMI. A t-test was conducted to investigate BMI differences between individuals with and without part-time jobs.

Results: No significant difference in BMI was found across the four family financial status groups (p=0.9869, n=50). A non-significant correlation was observed between self-perceived health status and BMI (r=0.0831, p=0.5829, n=50). Food expenditure categories revealed no significant differences with BMI (p=0.1658, n=50). Similarly, no significant BMI difference between part-time and non-workers was noted (p=0.3176, n=50).

Conclusions: Contrary to the initial hypothesis, our study revealed no significant cultural deviations influencing BMI in Ghana. Our data does not support the myth that Ghanaians have a different health and body weight conception compared to global standards. This finding challenges the cultural relativism often ascribed to health perceptions, suggesting that socioeconomic and lifestyle factors may have a universally consistent impact on BMI.

Funding Sources: None